Scholarships

We understand that attending a field school can be a significant expense for students. To help, the IFR offers multiple types of scholarships. In addition, listed on this page are links and short descriptions of grants and scholarships available to students from other agencies, foundations, and organizations. Please scroll throughout this page to find scholarships that you may be eligible to apply. To be considered for an IFR scholarship, you must have first completed and submitted your field school application and have been admitted to an IFR field school before the scholarship deadline.

IFR Military Veterans Scholarship

The Institute for Field Research recognizes the service of military veterans and greatly appreciates their commitment to the study of archaeology. Archaeology field schools are physically demanding and intellectually challenging and are usually conducted in remote locations – conditions that make veterans, who have experienced similar field conditions, ideal participants. This scholarship provides full tuition coverage to attend an IFR field school – up to $5,000 per award. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as a reduction to the field school tuition.

Each Military Veteran Scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, up to $5,000. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the published cost of an IFR field school tuition. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any field school outside those offered by the IFR.

IFR Need Based Scholarships

The Institute for Field Research recognizes that the cost of field schools may be too high for some deserving students. We believe that archaeology should be available to all. This scholarship should help in offsetting a significant portion of field school tuition costs. Students who can demonstrate financial need may apply for this scholarship. Complete the online application and upload supporting documents. Need-Based scholarship are $2,000 each. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as field school tuition reduction only.

Open to students attending IFR programs only. This scholarship may not be used for none IFR programs.

Complete an application, and be admitted, to an IFR field school (no need to pay the deposit fee to be eligible for this scholarship).

Upload name & email address of one person who will send a recommendation letter on your behalf. Recommendation letter and supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline.

Unofficial copy of your transcripts showing your GPA.

US citizens must upload a copy of their latest FAFSA application available. If you graduated more than one year ago or you are not a US citizen, upload your most recent federal tax return (form 1040 only for US citizens).

Complete application essay questions.

Incomplete applications or application submitted past the designated deadline will not be accepted or considered. No exceptions.

Need-Based scholarship are $2,000 each. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of an IFR field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any field school outside those offered by the IFR.

IFR Merit Based Scholarships

The Institute for Field Research would like to support promising young scholars who may become future leaders – both within and outside archaeology. It is our hope that regardless of the career path such students may take, an archaeology field school will establish a lifelong relationship with the discipline and an understanding for the importance of the past to our collective human future. Complete the online application, answer the essay questions and upload supporting documents. Merit-Based scholarship are $2,500 each. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as field school tuition reduction only.

Merit-Based scholarship are $2,500 each. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of an IFR field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any field school outside those offered by the IFR.

IFR Opportunity Scholarships

The IFR Academic Board recognizes that some students demonstrate great academic promise already as undergraduate students. It also recognizes that the cost of a field school may pose a hurdle to such promising students with limited financial resources. To support promising students and create a path for significant intellectual and academic growth, the IFR Opportunity Scholarship will support a number of students and will cover the full cost of a field school plus the cost of airfare to and from the field. This scholarship covers only students applying to an IFR field school and has no cash value.

Complete an application, and be admitted, to an IFR field school (no need to pay the deposit fee to be eligible for this scholarship).

Complete the Opportunity Scholarship Application online.

US students currently enrolled in institution of higher education must upload a copy of their most recent FAFSA application. Students who graduated more than one year ago or students who are not US citizens must upload their most recent tax returns (Federal form 1040 for US citizens only).

Incomplete applications or application submitted past the designated deadline will not be accepted or considered. No exceptions.

Each Opportunity Scholarship covers the full cost of any IFR field school tuition plus the cost of airfare to and from the field. The IFR will purchase the airline ticket for students awarded this scholarship at the lowest fare available. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any field school outside those offered by the IFR.

Connie Downing Scholarship for the Greenland-Arctic Vikings Program

Created through a generous gift from Ms. Connie Downing, this scholarship is design to support undergraduate students planning to participate in the 2018 Greenland-Arctic Vikings Field School. This scholarship dramatically reduces tuition for four students attending this field school from its original $5,950 to $2,950 – creating four $3,000 awards. Selection of awardees will be based on and determined by a combination of academic achievement, letter of recommendation and the strength of essays written as replies to application essay questions.

There is no separate application process for this scholarship. Only four students will be admitted to the field school and each will be awarded this scholarship. Students interested in participating in the Greenland-Arctic Vikings Field School must apply directly through the program’s application page.

Four scholarships are available in the amount of $3,000 each. The scholarship is an automatic deduction from the original tuition of $5,950. Students winning this award will pay only $2,950 as tuition for the Greenland Arctic Vikings Field School. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside the IFR.

Vera R. Campbell Promise Scholarship for CSU Los Angeles Students

The Vera R. Campbell Promise Scholarship is dedicated to the support of California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) undergraduate students. CSULA attracts students from local neighborhoods, many coming from economically challenged background and many the first in their families to attend university. Most have never traveled outside California, let alone the US. This scholarship will provide significant funding to support selected CSULA students for attending IFR field schools across the world. This scholarship will provide two main benefits:

Direct financial support up to $4,000 level for three scholarships to offset the cost of attending an IFR field school.

IFR staff and CSULA faculty will hold two, day-long workshops with scholarship awardees. The first workshop will focus on preparing students for a study abroad and field work experience. The second workshop will take place when the students return and will give them the opportunity to reflect on their experience and explore how they may leverage it to advance future academic and career goals.

Awardees of each annual scholarship cycle will be asked to serve as mentors for students who will come after them in future years. Our goal is to create a broad system of support that will leverage financial, intellectual, academic and community gains to support and advance the long-term life and careers goals of awardees.

Participate in a day long post program workshop (September 14, 2018) and present reflections on your program participation

Students can apply and get admitted to more than one IFR field school. There is no application fee.

Students may apply to all other IFR scholarships. Applying to this scholarship does not prevent students from applying to any other IFR scholarship.

Late or incomplete applications by the designated deadline will not be accepted or considered. No exceptions.

(Application to a field school may be submitted at the same time as the scholarship application. However, students must be admitted to an IFR field school in order to receive the scholarship and there is no guarantee that their application to a field school will be processed before their scholarship application. Students are highly encouraged to apply to a fieldschool well before the March 16th)

Each Campbell Promise Scholarship will cover up to $4,000 of the tuition of any IFR field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any field school outside those offered by the IFR.

La Brea Tar Pits Program Housing Stipend Scholarship

The US CA-La Brea Tar Pits field school is focused on Paleontology and Paleoecology, where students will be trained in paleontological excavation, fossil preparation, and museum curation, education, and outreach, and will learn how paleontological data are being used today to manage for future environmental change. To support students from outside the Los Angeles area, this scholarship will provide a limited number of $750 housing stipends that will help to defray costs of lodging within reasonable driving/bus/train distance from the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum.

Competitive scholarships, each for up to $750, provided as housing stipends. This award will be paid directly to landlords or other housing operators (Airbnb, hotels, etc.) or against original housing receipts issued to students enrolled in the US CA-La Brea Tar Pits program. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.

US AZ-Coconino Field School Scholarship

The US AZ-Coconino Field School program is designed to prepare students for a career in Cultural Resource Management. The field school is the recipient of the prestigious annual scholarship award from the Society for American Archaeology and the Register of Professional Archaeologists. To attract top level students, the Field School is offering this scholarship along with matching funds to assist two students in covering a portion of the tuition cost for this field school. Each scholarship will pay for $1,000 of the tuition cost. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as a reduction in field school tuition only.

Two scholarships for $1,000 each. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of the US AZ-Coconino Field School. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.

Spain-Cova Gran Field School Scholarship

The Spain-Cova Gran program is focused on human occupation dating to at least as early as 50,000 years ago and continuing through the Late Prehistory at the Cova Gran de Santa Linya (Lleida, Catalunya). To attract top level students, the Cova Gran Project is offering a scholarship to cover a portion of the tuition cost for this field school. One scholarship will pay for $1,500 of tuition cost. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as field school tuition reduction only.

One scholarship for $1,500. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of the Spain-Cova Gran field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.

Portugal-Vale Boi Field School Scholarship

The Portugal-Vale Boi program studies the relationships between Neanderthals and our own ancestors – Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH). To attract top level students, the Vale Boi Project is offering one scholarship to cover a portion of the tuition cost for this field school. This scholarship will pay for $1,500 of tuition cost. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as field school tuition reduction only.

One scholarship for $1,500. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of the Portugal-Vale Boi field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.

UK-Ribchester Field School Scholarship

The UK-Ribchester Field School is focused on the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural nature of a Roman Fort and includes an extensive public archaeology component. To attract top level students, the Ribchester Project is offering one scholarship to cover 50% cost of tuition for this field school. One scholarship will pay for $2,300 of tuition cost. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as field school tuition reduction only.

One scholarship for $2,300. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the tuition cost of the UK-Ribchester field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside the IFR.

Scholarships for the China-Yangguanzhai Program

The IFR believes that there is much for the world to learn from Chinese cultural heritage. With generous support from generous anonymous donors , the IFR will provide three $1,000 scholarships to support students attending the China-Yangguanzhai field school. Any student – regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality or sexual orientation – who plans to attend this field school may apply. This scholarship will be used to pay tuition costs for students attending the China-YGZ field school only. It has no cash value and may not be used to fund any other field school, within or outside the IFR.

Each scholarship covers $1,000 off the tuition cost for the China-Yangguanzhai field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school offered by the IFR.

Current student or student who graduated in the past three years from any institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world. First- and second-year graduate students are eligible to apply to this scholarship as well.

There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.

Your major does not need to be in archaeology or related disciplines. Students from any major are welcome to apply.

Name & email address of a faculty member who will send a recommendation letter on your behalf.

Students may apply to all other IFR scholarships. Applying to this scholarship does not prevent you from applying to any other IFR award.

IFR Undergraduate Student Conference Travel Awards

The IFR believes in immersion experiences and the power of mentorship to change the lives of aspiring scholars. To that end, we are putting forward two scholarships to support undergraduate student attendance at the 2018 Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Annual Meeting. In addition to funding travel and participation in the meeting, award winners will be invited for dinner with attending IFR Academic Board Members so they may learn more about our career paths and board members may learn more about the student’s aspiration. This award may cover costs of airfare, room and board, and fees associated with attending the SAA Annual Meeting. Scholarships may be up to $600 each. This scholarship is open to all students, regardless of citizenship, school or major or prior attendance in an IFR field school.

IFR-SAA Undergraduate Student Paper & Poster Awards

The Institute for Field Research (IFR) and the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) are delighted to announce the annual IFR Undergraduate Student Best Paper & Best Poster Awards. Each award is for $1,000. The awards will be given to the best paper and best poster presented at the SAA annual meeting in which the undergraduate is the first author. In addition, the awardees are recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the conference, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website.

For Papers: Applicants must submit electronic copies to the Awards Committee Chair of the following two items: (1) a separate title page with name and full contact information; (2) a single PDF of the conference paper containing slide call outs, references cited, and slides with numbered captions. Please remove your name from this PDF. In addition, the applicant must have their paper reviewed by a faculty or supervisory sponsor BEFORE it is submitted to the Award Committee Chair. The faculty/supervisory sponsor must send an email to the Award Committee Chair at the time of submission stating that he/she has read and approved the paper being submitted.

For Posters: Applicants must submit electronic copies to the Awards Committee Chair of the following two items: 1) a separate title page with name and full contact information; (2) 1) a separate title page with name and full contact information; 2) a single PDF file as an electronic entry. Please remove your name from the poster PDF. In addition, the applicant must have their poster reviewed by a faculty or supervisory sponsor BEFORE it is submitted to the Award Committee Chair. The faculty/supervisory sponsor must send an email to the Award Committee Chair at the time of submission stating that he/she has read and approved the poster being submitted.

To be eligible for this award you must be either (1) an individual currently enrolled in an undergraduate program OR (2) an individual who holds an undergraduate degree, but is not currently enrolled in a graduate program. In addition, eligible individuals must be members of the SAA in good standing whose paper or poster abstract has been accepted by the SAA for the upcoming annual meeting. The first author must be the eligible individual, but co-authors may be faculty or graduate students. The award goes to eligible individual and his/her co-authors.

The Institute for International Education created a searchable directory that features detailed descriptions of hundreds of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, grants, and paid internships for U.S. undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students, and professionals.

External Scholarships

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. Over 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being approximately $4,000.

Established in honor of AIA Past President Jane Waldbaum, this scholarship is intended to help students who are planning to participate in archaeological field work for the first time. Students majoring in archaeology or related disciplines are especially encouraged to apply. The Scholarship Fund provides $1000 each for up to seven successful applicants to help pay expenses associated with participation in an archaeological field work project (minimum stay one month). The scholarship is open to students who have begun their junior year of undergraduate studies at the time of application and have not yet completed their first year of graduate school at a college or university in the United States or Canada. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must not have previously participated in archaeological field work. The committee will consider both academic achievement and financial need in its deliberations.

The Committee on Minority Scholarships of the American Philological Association (APA) invites applications from minority undergraduate students. The purpose of the scholarship is to further an undergraduate’s preparation for graduate work in classics or classical archaeology. Eligible proposals might include (but are not limited to) participation in classical summer programs or field schools in Italy, Greece, Egypt, etc., or language training at institutions in the U.S, Canada, or Europe. The maximum amount of the award will be $4,000.

Scholarships will be considered in archaeology and related fields for undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarships may be awarded for participation in a field school and/or tuition for a field school.

ASOR has renewed its emphasis on providing excavation grants and fellowships that allows individuals to participate in excavations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Since 2007, ASOR has awarded 146 total scholarships for excavations through the Harris, Platt, and Heritage Fellowships. Students are eligible to apply only if their home university is an official ASOR institutional member (click here for a list of ASOR institutional members).

The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA will award approximately 25 fellowships for $1000 each to UCLA undergraduate students in good standing to work on an archaeological project with a UCLA professor (China-YGZ, Ethiopia-Shire, Greece-Methone, Philippines – Ifugao, Tunisia-Zita). Students will be evaluated based upon overall academic excellence and commitment to scientific field research. Students from any UCLA department are eligible. Students not preparing for a career in archaeology are urged to apply. The fellowship holder is expected to use the fellowship to defray costs to attend an off-campus research project with a UCLA professor, but some exceptions to the off-campus rule may be permitted.

This fellowship supports research projects, internships or language study in any field of Jewish studies for UCLA undergraduate students. Up to $3,000 per summer or quarter. UCLA students participating in IFR field schools in Israel, or projects related to Jewish history, may be eligible to apply.

This grant is for UCLA undergraduate students who are seeking to conduct research in Israel Studies during the academic year or the summer. The Center welcomes fellowship applications from undergraduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, visual and performing arts, management, engineering, law, public health, environment and sustainability. Awards amount: $500-$1,500. Applications Accepted Beginning: March 14, 2018,
Applications Due: April 13, 2018, Applicants Notified By: April 30, 2018.

This grant is for UCLA graduate students who are seeking to conduct research in Israel Studies during the academic year or the summer. The Center welcomes fellowship applications from graduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, visual and performing arts, management, engineering, law, public health, environment and sustainability. Awards amount: $2,500-$7,500. Applications Accepted Beginning: March 14, 2018, Applications Due: April 13, 2018, Applicants Notified By: April 30, 2018.

The CBA will award three $3,000 stipends for archaeological research in biblical lands, renewable for a second season. Applicants must be active or associate members of the CBA, and may be either full-time students working towards the doctorate (or S.S.L.) in biblical studies or related areas or have received the doctorate (or S.S.L.) in these areas.

Established with the generous support of Al and Margaret Cohen, this annual fellowship program awards a $1,500 fellowship stipend to an American undergraduate student to help pay expenses associated with participation in an overseas excavation project. The fellowship is open to students enrolled in an American college or university. Applicants must be majoring in archaeology or a related discipline or able to demonstrate an intention to declare such a major field of study. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

The Mark Twain Awards for Travel support deserving students who wish to enrich their education through exposure to people and places they would otherwise not encounter. Once awarded, the funds are unrestricted and can be used towards any local or international travel of any duration. Prizes range between $500-$2,500. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year.

Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as undergraduates in US universities/colleges and who plan to study abroad for at least four weeks. Awards are up to $10,000. Look at the “Dedicated Scholarships” as well to see if you may be eligible to those specific awards.

Serving U.S. undergraduate and graduate students pursuing accredited study abroad programs. Through scholarships for international study, they empower future leaders to become better prepared for the fast-changing global marketplace and interdependent world. Over 200 scholarships between $1,000 and $2,500 will be awarded each calendar year for US citizens.

The Fulbright – National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship is a new component of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program that provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in an academic year of overseas travel and digital storytelling in up to three countries on a globally significant social or environmental topic.

The Esherick-Ye Family Foundation has just been established as an IRS 501(c)3 corporation to support small grants of up to $5,000 for projects in modern Chinese economic, social, and political history or Chinese archaeology. The foundation expect to offer at most four or five grants. Grants will support travel to China for research or field work. Grants are available for undergraduate and graduate students as well as untenured faculty in archaeology. The deadline for applications is January 3, 2017.

CAMWS will be awarding three $2,000 scholarships, for summer 2017, to fund participants in summer excavations or field schools at an archaeological site in the Greco-Roman world. Generally, one award will be made to a graduate student and another to an undergraduate, but teachers are also eligible for this award. Professional archaeologists are not eligible. The deadline to apply is January 30, 2017.

Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowships are intended for scholars and students with citizenship in a developing country who wish to obtain education or training from an institution outside of the student’s home country. This award is for a program of approved, advanced special training or studies leading towards an MA or PhD. It is limited to two years of support. The maximum award is limited to $15,000 per year.

The Native American Scholarships Fund is an endowment established to foster a sense of shared purpose and positive interaction between archaeologists and Native Americans. Scholarships are open to all Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Islanders. Awards are $5,000-10,000.

The Israel Undergraduate Student Research Grant is directed towards UCLA undergraduate students who would like to pursue research in Israel during the academic year or the summer. The Center welcomes fellowship applications from undergraduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, visual and performing arts, management, engineering, law, public health, environment, and sustainability. Awards are $500-$1,500.

Travel grants of up to $1,000 are available to UCLA undergraduate and graduate students for: (1) presentation of conference papers focused on Israel Studies or (2) Israel-related projects that require limited, site-specific research (e.g., archival research). Grant funds may be used to cover airfare, accommodation/hotel costs, ground transportation costs and for conference registration fees.

The SAA Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship for the Study of Archaeology provides funding for undergraduate education in archaeology. It is awarded to women who are residents of New Mexico and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology with a specialization in archaeology from a fully accredited university in the state of New Mexico (Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico State University, or University of New Mexico). It is overseen by the Wase Scholarship Committee of the SAA.
The Wase Scholarships cover the cost of tuition/course fees and books for all classroom and field-based courses included in an accredited curriculum to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with a Emphasis/Focus/Concentration in Archaeology.

A scholarship established in honor of AIA Past President Elizabeth Bartman to assist graduate students or those who have recently completed a master’s degree with the expenses associated with participating in a museum internship either in the United States or abroad. Award Amount: $2,000-$4,750. Application Deadline: April 1st, 2017.